Ward Manager, Head and Neck, Band 7

Posting date:	11 December 2025
Salary:	£47,810.00 to £54,710.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£47810.00 - £54710.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	23 December 2025
Location:	Gloucester, GL1 3NN
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9318-25-0962

Summary

Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities - Maintain a strong clinical presence within the ward, acting as a visible role model for high standards of care, evidence-based practice, and effective leadership. - Lead on patient safety and quality initiatives within the ward, ensuring compliance with Trust standards and continuous improvement. - Directly deliver, coordinate, and supervise patient care, ensuring assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation meet the Trust vision of Best Care for Everyone. - Demonstrate and supervise safe, appropriate care in a dynamic clinical environment, utilising highly specialised equipment and resources. - Support staff in the management of airway skills, ensuring competency in critical situations. - Administer and oversee the safe delivery of medications in line with the Procedure for the Ordering, Prescribing, and Administration of Medications (POPAM) guidelines. - Actively manage and professionally lead the nursing team as a key member of the multidisciplinary workforce. - Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to meet patient and family needs, ensuring seamless, high-quality care. - Take an active clinical leadership role, including acting as shift coordinator when required - Play a key role in implementing clinical initiatives and introducing new equipment or technologies. - Promote and support continuous clinical training, education, and development for all staff members. Professional Development, Education and Training - In partnership with the Matron, identify personal training and development needs through the Trust appraisal process. - Maintain and continually develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform the role effectively. - Complete all mandatory training relevant to the role and ensure compliance with Trust and NMC requirements. - Support the education, training, and development of staff within the service, fostering a culture of continuous learning. - Actively contribute to departmental education programmes and initiatives. - Develop skills to supervise, mentor, and support less experienced and non-registered staff in clinical practice. - Organise and facilitate mentorship and educational programmes for students, ensuring a positive learning environment. Management and Leadership - Work collaboratively with the Matron, Band 7 colleagues, senior nurses, consultants, and the wider team to define and deliver strategic service objectives. - Manage and lead the ward within agreed Standard Operating Procedures, supporting the development and implementation of new working practices. - Work with the Matron to create and execute action plans that achieve key performance indicators and maintain high standards of care. - Contribute to service development initiatives, ensuring changes are implemented effectively and sustainably. - Liaise with site and operational teams to maintain patient flow, reduce length of stay, and enhance patient experience. - Ensure day-to-day safe staffing levels, escalating concerns through the appropriate processes. - Maintain and monitor the electronic roster, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Trust targets for sickness and absence. - Ensure effective rota planning and cover arrangements to maintain safe staffing levels, including escalation when required. - Line manage a defined group of staff, ensuring adherence to HR policies and procedures. - Address underperformance through effective performance management and action planning. - Promote staff retention by supporting career development, job satisfaction, and clinical supervision. - Facilitate recruitment processes to attract and select the most suitable candidates. - Deliver staff appraisals and encourage completion of mandatory training to meet compliance targets. - Actively work to resolve staff conflict and maintain a positive team culture. - Support the Matron in managing pay and non-pay budgets responsibly. - Promote efficient use of resources and reduce unnecessary financial and environmental waste. - Take responsibility for health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors, contributing to risk assessments and mitigation strategies. - Manage patient, relative, and staff complaints in line with Trust procedures. - Lead or support agreed quality improvement initiatives within Head and Neck services and collaborate with internal and external teams to share best practice. - Deputise for the Matron during absences, representing Head and Neck services as required. - Role model high standards of care, communication, and professionalism. - Foster a culture of shared leadership, empowering staff at all levels to lead initiatives aligned with Trust values. - Demonstrate a proactive, creative, and resilient approach to service development and change management. Improving safety, quality and developing practice - Promote and support audits and research initiatives within Head and Neck services and across the wider Trust. - Champion the use of evidence-based practice, ensuring adherence to relevant policies, procedures, and clinical guidelines. - Assist in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data to maintain and monitor key performance indicators. - Collaborate with senior staff on audit and research projects, contributing to recommendations for changes in management practice and supporting implementation. - Actively participate in the Clinical Governance and Quality agenda, including service improvement initiatives, health and safety, and risk management. - Take joint responsibility for leading safe and effective infection prevention and control measures. - Share knowledge and expertise with colleagues locally and nationally, fostering a culture of continuous learning. - Identify personal development needs aligned to service priorities and proactively seek opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge. - Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Standard Operating Procedures, policies, and protocols relevant to the service. - Constructively challenge strategic and operational practices to ensure continuous improvement in patient care standards. - Report and investigate incidents in line with Trust policy, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into practice. Communications and Working Relationships - Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, and relatives, demonstrating sensitivity, empathy, and professionalism at all times. - Deliver complex and sometimes contentious information to individuals and groups, including in clinical settings where engagement may be challenging. - Lead and manage difficult conversations with staff, including those related to underperformance, with tact and respect. - Work cohesively with all members of the Head and Neck team and foster strong multidisciplinary collaboration. - Act as a positive role model, including maintaining professional appearance and adherence to the Trust uniform policy. - Promote and uphold the Trust values and objectives in all interactions and decision-making. - Demonstrate resilience and the ability to work under pressure, meeting agreed timescales and service priorities. - Take initiative and adopt a progressive, creative, and forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and service improvement. - Maintain compliance with the NMC Code of Conduct and ensure personal professional development, mandatory training, and NMC revalidation requirements are met. - Seek advice and support when required and encourage a culture where others feel confident to do the same. General Working Conditions - Comply with all Trust and departmental policies and procedures, including Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, Risk Management, Data Protection, and patient confidentiality at all times. - Utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines to ensure safe practice. - Frequently manoeuvre patients and objects over 15 kg using appropriate equipment and aids. - Work in environments with exposure to bodily fluids, infection risks, infestations, and substances hazardous to health, following all relevant policies and procedures. - Regularly manage distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving patients, relatives, and staff, including exposure to verbal and physical aggression. - Maintain concentration for extended periods while working under pressure in a fast-paced and constantly changing clinical environment. - Uphold excellent standards of care and professionalism at all times, even in challenging circumstances. - Ensure a smart, professional appearance that reflects Trust values and enhances public confidence in the service